A Tribute to Fr Gregory Naik, sj (23 June 1933-09 August 2021) By Pratap Naik SJ *Fr. Gregory Naik (formerly known as Gregory Mergulhão)* left this world on Monday, 09th August 2021 evening at Xavier Residence, Alto Porvorim, Goa. The funeral will take place on 10th August, 2021 in the Chapel of Xavier Residence, Alto Porvorim, at 3:30 pm, followed by the burial in the Holy Family cemetery. He was a Jesuit priest of the Goa Jesuit Province. After completing a double Master’s in History and Counselling in the USA, he served diligently in Jesuit schools in India. He worked as the executive secretary of the Jesuit Educational Association for South Asia in New Delhi, for seven years. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Superior of Goa Region (1992-1993). He was the Provincial of the Goa Jesuit Province from 1993 to 1999. Fr. Naik served as the Rector at the Jesuit Headquarters in Rome for several years. He was fluent in several languages. On his return to Goa in 2009, Fr. Naik established the Goa Jesuit Archives and worked till 2014. Later due to his diminishing health, he was shifted to the Xavier Residence for better care under the leadership of Fr Amit D’Souza, S.J. He has written a number of articles and two books. _Understanding Our Fellow Pilgrims_ (2000). It was written to promote dialogue and to understand and appreciate the faith, traditions of other religions of India. The second book was really a solid scholarly work based on original Jesuit sources from the archives, entitled, _Jesuits of the Goa Province: A Historical Overview (1542-2000)_. It covers a wide swathe of Jesuit history as it relates to South Asia. This book will fascinate students of history, religion, and cultures. It offers rich data for further exploring the colonial history of Goa and its connection with the Society of Jesus. When he was the Provincial, he granted permission, fully encouraged and supported Fr. Mathew Almeida, sj and me to put up the new building of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK) at Alto Porvorim. He laid its foundation on 24th February 1996 and blessed the building on 29th September 1998. With his vision, he initiated to build Pedro Aruppe Institute, Raia, Goa for the training of laity and youth formation and as a retreat centre. He was a man of vision and mission. I lived with him at Jesuit House, Panaji from 01 February 2012 to 31 May 2018. His room was opposite to my room. He would keep his room slightly open so that I could get fresh air of the Panaji garden passing from his room to my room. Such was his consideration. Both of us loved music and exchanged videos. He would play musical audio videos for both of us. He was a methodical and systematic, hardworking person. He greeted and welcomed everyone with a smile. He had a great sense of humour. With his demise, the Goa Jesuits have lost a good scholar and researcher. May God grant him rest and peace. May he enjoy now the company of his fellow Jesuits who have gone for their heavenly abode. Till we meet, Fr Gregory Adeus and keep on smiling. As a tribute to Fr Gregory, my Jesuit companion and friend, I would like to circulate the video of the famous Christian hymn “Nearer My God, To Thee” composed by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841 and set to music by her sister Eliza Flower. In this video it is sung by Four Vagle Brothers. This hymn was one of the favourite hymns of Fr. Gregory and it is mine also. Let Fr Gregory enjoy this hymn on his heavenly journey. https://youtu.be/76GUR-OEw8Y Pratap Naik sj 09 August 2021 -- _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/ _/ FN * फ्रेड्रिक नोरोन्या * فريدريك نورونيا +91-9822122436 _/ See a different Goa here, via _/ https://youtube.com/c/frederickfnnoronha _/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/